Knicks seek to shore up defense against struggling Raptors

In the closing moments of a crushing defeat to the Boston Celtics, Jalen Brunson looked to have turned his ankle, which was unsettling for the New York Knicks. What was even more concerning were their last two defensive outings.

Luckily for the Knicks, Brunson will be available on Monday night as they try to address some of those defensive shortcomings in order to avoid losing to the visiting Toronto Raptors for a record-tying third straight game.

After stepping on Payton Pritchard’s foot with 21 seconds left in Friday’s 133-123 loss to the Boston Celtics, Brunson was helped off the field. Although coach Tom Thibodeau stated on Sunday that Brunson’s ankle was “good” and he was anticipated to be ready on Monday, the Knicks did not release an update at that time.

The Knicks are playing their first home game since Brunson scored 42 points in a 118–112 victory against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 30. Brunson scored 23 points on Friday.

The Knicks gave up 146 points on Tuesday in Milwaukee to be ousted from the NBA’s in-season tournament, after having given up 106 points in a 13-point victory against Toronto on December 1. On Friday, they surrendered their second-highest point total.

The Knicks gave up 52.7 percent from the field and 19 3-pointers, which is tied for their third-highest total, after Milwaukee shot 60.4 percent and made 23 3-pointers.

The Knicks won 10 of 13 games from November 6 to December 1 while allowing 106.5 points and 35.9 percent shooting from outside the arc. This is a difficult defensive stretch for the team.

It’s problematic, according to Thibodeau. “We must strengthen our defence. It begins on a personal level. superior ball containment. increased ball pressure. more difficult shots. and every facet.

The Knicks gave up 52.7 percent from the field and 19 3-pointers, which is tied for their third-highest total, after Milwaukee shot 60.4 percent and made 23 3-pointers.

The Knicks won 10 of 13 games from November 6 to December 1 while allowing 106.5 points and 35.9 percent shooting from outside the arc. This is a difficult defensive stretch for the team.

It’s problematic, according to Thibodeau. “We must strengthen our defence. It begins on a personal level. superior ball containment. increased ball pressure. more difficult shots. and every facet.